Treating tobacco



Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,198,188 TREATING 'roBAooo Andrew Viscardi, New York, N. Y.

N Drawing.

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel tobacco product and a method of producing the same. More particularly the present invention relates to a tobacco product containing a predetermined quantity of vitamin B.

Vitamin B is one of the most universally necessary of the vitamins, since it is active in the metabolism of all living cells, and it is readily adaptable for use in connection with the present invention because it can be volatilized without losing its healthful properties and because it is both tasteless and odorless It is well known that many modern diets are greatly deficient in vitamin B. This deficiency has given rise to a number of very serious ailments. Aside from the symptoms of polyneurosis and beriberi, which are perhaps the most well known afliictions resulting from a vitamin B deficiency, many other minor ailments are also traceable tothis source. Competent authorities have come to the conclusion that this vitamin is of importance in insuring proper appetite and proper functioning of the nervous system.

It has been estimated that vitamin B occurs probably less adequately in the average American diet than any of the other vitamins essential for good health. Although vitamin B occurs naturally in many food products, its content in, the food consumed by the American public is reduced by the industrial treatment it receives in the preparation of the raw products and in the cooking process in the average home. Thus, it will readily be recognized that by presenting this important vitamin in the manner taught by this invention, the well-being of the average smoker is assured-so far as his essential supply of vitamin B is concerned. 1

The present invention has for one of its important objects the provision of an adequate supply of vitamin B in a popular and easily accessible form. It is well known that the average person objects to' and neglects to take regular doses of such medicines or other treatments as may be prescribed, and means are always being sought to present such necessary medicines or treatments in a manner which most naturally and unobtrusively lends itself to consumption. The present invention, therefore, by combining this essential vitamin with tobacco produces it in such form as will insure its consumption without conscious effort. It is well known that many persons today avoid starchy foods in their diet in efforts to reduce their weight, and since starchy foods are rich in vitamin B, such persons are Application September 13, 1939, Serial No. 294,751

very apt to suffer from a'deiiciency of this vitamin.

The discovery has been made that vitamin B in the form of thiamin chloride can be added to tobacco and when so added is volatilized along with 5 the smoke and drawn into the smokers respiratory tract. By solution in the saliva and by general absorption into the gastro-intenstinal tract, the vitamin B is reclaimed by the smokers system with pronounced beneficial effects.

The thiamin chloride is preferably added to the tobacco in the form of a solution, and preferably by spraying a quantity of tobacco with a solution of thiamin chloride in water. The thiamin chloride can be added to the tobacco at almost any stage during the ageing process or thereafter. It is preferably combined with the usual aromatic fiavorings which are applied to tobacco by spraying after the ageing thereof has been completed and before the tobacco is made into cigarettes or cigars. As an alternative method, the tobacco may be clipped in a solution of thiamin chloride in a suitable solvent, as for example, water.

The thiamin chloride may be also added to the tobacco after the same has been manufactured into cigarettes or cigars. For example, a pack of cigarettes which has been treated with one dram of a .04% solution of thiamin chloride will contain approximately thirty international units of vitamin B per cigarette. Here again the cigarettes may be sprayed or dipped in the solution. 7 The .04% solution may be obtained by dissolving two mm. of thiamin chloride in one dram of water.

Although spraying has been set forth as the preferred method of impregnating tobacco with vitamin B, the vitamin B may 'be added in some other suitable manner. Thus the tobacco may be suspended in vapor containing volatilized 40 thiamin chloride. Although a .04% solution of thiamin chloride has been suggested as suitable, other concentrations may be used. Other suitable solvents for the thiamin chloride may also be used, the only criteria being that, the solvent shall not add an undesirable ingredient to the tobacco. The amount of thiamin chloride added can be limited by treatment of the tobacco with a smaller or larger quantity of thiamin chloride solution as well as by varying the concentration of the solution.

It may be noted particularlythat when vitamin ,B has been added to tobacco in the manner hereinbefore set forth, it is in a form which thoroughly impregnates the tobacco and is therefore i easily and uniformly volatilized during smoking.

I claim: A 1. A process for the treatment of tobacco comprising forminga solution of thiamin chloride 5 01. a predetermined concentration and iimp'regnating the tobacco with the solution.

' 2. A process for the treatment of tobacco comuniformly volatilizable form.

prising forming in aqueous solution of thiamin chloride and spraying the solution on the tobacco. 1

. .3. A smoking tobacco containing a predetermined quantity of vitamin B in an, easily and ANDREW VISCARDI. 

